COST vs IMKTA: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 1, 2026, COST and IMKTA are closely matched. IMKTA offers the higher yield at 0.78%, IMKTA has the higher dividend-safety score, and IMKTA looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price).
Key facts: COST vs IMKTA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 1, 2026, Ingles Markets, Incorporated (IMKTA) has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.78%, versus 0.64% for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST).
- As of Oct 1, 2026, SmarterDividends grades COST's dividend safety A (97/100) and IMKTA's A (99/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 1, 2026, COST has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and IMKTA for 0.
- As of Oct 1, 2026, COST pays out 27% of its earnings as dividends and IMKTA pays out 12%.
- As of Oct 1, 2026, COST's fair-value estimate is 44% below its share price and IMKTA's fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price, so IMKTA looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "COST vs IMKTA: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 1, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cost-vs-imkta
| Metric | COST | IMKTA |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.64% | 0.78% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $0.66 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 12% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 0.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 88% | 21% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 99 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $507.49 | $129.09 |
| Upside to fair value | -44% | +52% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $403.5B | $1.6B |
| P/E ratio | 43.8 | 15.5 |
Higher yield
IMKTA
0.78%
Safer dividend
IMKTA
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
IMKTA
+52% upside
COST vs IMKTA — FAQ
Is COST or IMKTA a better dividend stock?
COST and IMKTA are closely matched. IMKTA has the higher yield; IMKTA scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, COST or IMKTA?
IMKTA has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.78%, versus 0.64% for COST.
Is COST or IMKTA safer?
IMKTA has the higher dividend-safety score (99/100 vs 97/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is COST or IMKTA better value right now?
As of Oct 1, 2026, IMKTA looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price (undervalued). For COST, its fair-value estimate is 44% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.